Improvement in harness-buckles



UNITED STATES JATENT OFFICE.

JOHN AMMIDON, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND L. STREETER, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT iNv HARNESS-BUCKLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 34,085, dated January 1862.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JoIIN AMMIDON, of Springfield, county of Hampden, and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Mode of Manufacture of HarnessB u ckles; and I do hereby declare that the same is described and represented in the following specification and drawings; and to enable others skilled in the art to make and use I will proceed `to describe its construction, referring to the drawings, in Which the same letters indicate like parts in each of the figures.

The nature of this improved mode of manufacture of harness-buckle for team-harness and Where strong draft is required consists in forming an additional cross-bar having the tongue thereof properly secured in its place and in readiness for use. Thereby the leather, trace, or strap is secured Without incision or cutting of the strap, (as in the ordinary Way,) for the insertion of the buckle-tongue, Whereby I am enabled to secure the full strength of the material of which the trace, strap, &c.,

is made.

In theacconipanyin g drawingsis shown bot-h the old buckle noW in common use and also the ne'Wone or the improved Inode of manufacturing them upon the old. Figure I shows the old harness-buckle, with the incision 0c cut in the leather to receive the tongue of the buckle, (and here it may be remarked that although the incision cut in the strap is only one-quarter of its Width,yet its strength is diminished nearly or quite one-half of what it would bear if the incision were not cut therein.) Fig. 2 shows my improved harnessbuckle having the strap secured thereto in the ordinary Way Without any incision therein to receive the buckle-tongue, also showing a cross-bar just in front of the bend in the strap, to which the buckle is secured.

a is the buckle. b is the strap to which it (the buckle) is secured.

c is a portion of a strap or trace which passes through the buckle, receiving the tongue at d, and the end passing into or through the loop c in the ordinary way.

A is the cross-bar having a bearing for the tongue g and a swell or flange f each side thereof to keep it (the tongue) always in its proper place.

The advantage to be derived by this improvement in the Inode of manufacture of harness-buckles over others now or heretofore in use is, first, a harness made with this buckle is very much stronger,because the leather or other material is secured to the buckle Without the incision x or cutting any aperture therein, thereby securing the full strength of the material used; second, all things considered, it is cheaper, because it makes more saving in the labor in making a harness than the eXtra amount of stock required for the buckle, and, third, a harness made with these buckles is Very much stronger and far more durable, 'because with the incision for the buckle-tongue the Wet and damp gathered iu the incision renders it (the material) more liable to check and crack, and thereby greatly diminish its strength and durability; Without the incision the full strength of the material is secured, and the liability to check and crack is to a great extent removed.

I believe I have thus shown the nature, mode of manufacture, and advantage to be derived by this improvement over others now or heretofore in use, so as to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the same.

`What I claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

An improved mode of or a new manufacture of harness-buckle, buckle a, with crossbar A, tongue g, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed. my seal this 3d day of March, 1860.

JOHN AMMIDON. [L s] Witnesses:

J. M. STEBBINs, HEMAN SMITH. 

